The Taraba Anti-Illegal Mining Task Force on Monday arrested two suspected illegal miners during a raid at a gold-mining site in Mayo Kam, Gantu village, Bali council area.

The chairman of the task force, Emmanuel Jamu, told journalists in Jalingo that the operation followed weeks of intelligence gathering.

Mr Jamu said security operatives traversed difficult terrain to reach the remote mining site for the raid.

He explained that most of the suspected illegal miners fled into nearby forests before the arrival of the operatives, but  two suspects were arrested while attempting to escape.

The chairman also said the task force recovered several items allegedly used in illegal mining, including pumping machines, digging equipment, generators, and mineral-processing materials.

“We want to send a clear message. Whether they are there or not, we will keep trying. They can run today, but they cannot run forever. They will face the full weight of the law,” he said.

He appealed to traditional rulers and community leaders to support the task force with credible information that would lead to the arrest of other suspects still at large.

Mr Jamu said the two suspects were currently in custody, and  the task force would continue operations in other identified high-risk areas.

On June 19, the Taraba government suspended all mining activities across the state over security concerns and subsequently constituted the Anti-Illegal Mining Task Force to enforce the directive.

(NAN)